Why language is not just about talking

This content was published on August 24, 2017 - 16:00

1 minute

Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. This week, she visits a summer camp for young Vietnamese people growing up in Switzerland and talks to camp leader, Tri, about the importance of language, not only as a means of communication but also as part of one’s identity. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

Two people in silhouette look at mobile phones while a contrail of an aircraft is seen in the sky in the evening twilight, at Zurich Kloten Airport, pictured in Ruemlang, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (KEYSTONE/Michael Buholzer)

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A life-changing art project

This content was published on Aug 17, 2017 This week, Tama visits the Kidswest Association set up a decade ago in Bern, which introduces art to disadvantaged children.

When Swiss kids are forced to go hiking

This content was published on Aug 10, 2017 What makes Swiss kids different from foreign kids growing up here? Tama Vakeesan discusses this with singer, Marco Kunz, from Lucerne.

Congolese do it in sunglasses

This content was published on Aug 3, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. She talks to a comedian about how Congolese Swiss differ from Swiss natives.

Tama and the car freaks

This content was published on Jul 27, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. This week she visits a show organised by Tamils for car freaks.

When commuters are smelly, loud and rude

This content was published on Jul 20, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Tama looks at the downsides of commuting here. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

Why do ethnic Albanians do the double-headed eagle?

This content was published on Jul 13, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Sometimes it’s hard for Tama and her friends of different ethnic origins to stay true to family traditions. She asks Arjeta what being an ethnic Albanian means to her. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

Skin lightening: why do Tamil women do it?

This content was published on Jul 6, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. This week, she investigates why Tamil women want to look paler. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

When your parents hate your career choices

This content was published on Jun 29, 2017 Swiss-born Tama Vakeesan has Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Both she and her friend from Cameroon had trouble with their parents and career choices.

Tama, her brother, and the child asylum seekers at a refugee centre take a selfie

Re-visiting a refugee centre

This content was published on Jun 22, 2017 Tama Vakeesan visits a refugee centre for the first time since she herself was an asylum- seeker. Her Tamil parents fled the war in Sri Lanka.

Me and my mum

This content was published on Jun 15, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to parents from Sri Lanka. She speaks with her mother who explains what it was like to leave her home country.

Let the beat go on!

This content was published on Jun 8, 2017 Tama's friend Priya Ragu, a Swiss-born ethnic Tamil, explains how hard it is making her way in the music world without her parents' support.

Under suspicion

This content was published on Jun 1, 2017 Tama meets her friend Mondher, who is Swiss with Tunisian roots. He tells how not looking Swiss has got him into trouble.

Tama and the #Pussyhats

This content was published on May 25, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. In this episode, she takes part in the Zurich Women’s March and finds out why demonstrators are wearing pink “Pussyhats”, and how their four-legged allies are protesting too. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

What our food says about us

This content was published on May 18, 2017 Tama Vakeesan meets up with her friend Zoe, born in Switzerland to Greek parents, to find out whose mum is the best cook.

So what if I wear a headscarf?

This content was published on May 11, 2017 Tama Vakeesan finds out how wearing a headscarf affects the lives of some of her friends. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

My town – ordinary but extraordinary

This content was published on May 4, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. She shows us her favourite places in her home town.

My big fat Tamil wedding

This content was published on Apr 27, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Tama and her best friends have a clear vision of their dream man.

Swiss or Tamil? Caught in the middle

This content was published on Apr 18, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Sometimes she doesn’t know where she belongs.

Why language is not just about talking

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